Akoloutheo

Several thoughts from some times of reflection and transformation, all playing upon this akoloutheo theme. If you're intrigued by the title, i'd encourage you to research what it means. I'm not going to try to pull these together, but will let those who are interested do it on their own...

"Truly transformational knowledge is always personal, never merely objective. It involves knowing of, not merely knowing about. And it is always relational." -David G. Benner

Jesus calls several fishermen to be his disciples (see Matthew 4, John 21, John 10). They were given the gift of being fishermen; but upon Jesus' calling, God gave that talent new meaning: a purpose for his kingdom. When they're called, they don't hesitate. You get the sense that they immediately drop their nets, or jump out of their boats, and follow him. Why is this significant...?

"Maybe I want to encourage you to find your hope in me and not in a circumstance."-a word, given to me this past week

It's about knowing the shepherd and knowing his voice

cleaving

I can make you beautiful again. The broken and painful places can be restored. Do you believe it?

We're growing
like the winding vine with thorns
to become the rose of delicate beauty
the thorns represent pain and hardship
the broken, decaying, flesh
and that of others and the whole fallen world
with new sprouts, new growth, green leaves.
Spring is such a good season to represent this state of renewal
patches of dead beside the buds,
bitter cold remnants of winter in the morning followed by afternoon sunshine.